The Coast

Thailand

Koh Tao Travel Guide

Koh Tao ('Turtle Island') has been described as offering 'heaven
under the sea', its main holiday attraction being the incredible
snorkelling and scuba diving opportunities afforded in its clean,
clear waters. Situated to the north of its more famous sisters, Koh
Samui and Koh Pha Ngan, the island is a typical tropical paradise,
with rich jungle in the centre surrounded by quiet, palm treed
beaches.

Although tourist development has exploded in recent years,
turning Koh Tao's traditional dirt-road villages into a montage of
holiday resorts, souvenir stalls and restaurants, there are still
plenty of unspoilt spots both on the coast and inland. The main
beach is Sairee Beach, stretching about one mile (2km) along the
west coast, offering a range of reasonably priced holiday
accommodation, dive centres, restaurants, beach bars and other
facilities.

No-one could describe Koh Tao as a shopping destination, but
most of the essentials required on holiday are available including
basic medicines, sun screen, swim suits, sarongs, snorkelling
equipment and so on. Most of the little stalls and stores lining
beachfronts and main roads carry craft souvenirs made of shells or
bamboo, and there is plenty of local jewellery available. There are
a few supermarkets and market stalls with a good range of
foodstuffs.

Not too many years ago, no one in Koh Tao would have heard of
pizza or pancakes; now however, international cuisine has taken
over the island and it is possible to find anything you fancy, from
Tex-Mex to French baguettes or good old English steak and kidney
pie. This has not been at the expense of local authentic Thai food,
however, which is still available everywhere from simple street
stalls to beachfront terraces.

There are dozens of restaurants, new ones opening all the time,
many offering open-air barbecues and grills. Some current
favourites are the Café del Sol grill house, with a French
chef serving up delectable steaks and homemade Italian dishes; the
Greasy Spoon (Mae Head), delighting Brits with full-on English
breakfasts and hefty portions of fish and chips, bangers and mash,
and the like; and the open-air Eagle View on a hill top near Shark
Bay, offering Thai cuisine with a spectacular view.

For a relaxed, idyllic island Koh Tao has a surprisingly buzzing
nightlife. When the sun sets the parties start, usually at bars and
clubs right on the beach. Most of the action takes place at the
main centres of Mae Had and Sairee, but there are many impromptu
theme parties happening, usually advertised in shop windows or via
word of mouth. Sand sculptures, crazy games, fried chicken, bucket
cocktails and fire-jugglers are usually all part of the party
scene. Those who prefer a more sedate evening can retire to a pub
for a game of pool or darts, or sip cocktails in a laid-back lounge
to the tune of some modern classics.

Koh Tao is known as a holiday paradise for scuba divers, with 25
dive sites in close proximity, stunning and unusual rock and coral
formations teeming with the resident turtles, whale sharks,
stingrays and gorgeous reef fish. Visibility can sometimes exceed
131 feet (40m), with the average being around 65 feet (20m).
Chumphon Pinnacle is a great place to spot bull sharks, while other
popular dive sites include Green Rock, Nang Yuan, and Ao Leuk.
Diving in Koh Tao is available year-round, however there is some
decreased visibility in windy November. Divers aren't the only ones
playing in the water however, a variety of watersports are
available from water-skiing and kayaking to sailing lessons.

On land, play the local sports like pétanque or croquet,
go hiking, rock-climbing or mountain-biking. A variety of boat
excursions are available, a favourite being to explore the
next-door islet of Nangyuan with its remarkable triple beach. Many
visitors sign up for classes in Thai Chi, Yoga or Thai boxing, or
limber up at the local open air gym, finishing off with a herbal
steam bath, traditional Thai massage, or relaxing reflexology.

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Koh Tao Travel Guide

Koh Tao ('Turtle Island') has been described as offering 'heaven
under the sea', its main holiday attraction being the incredible
snorkelling and scuba diving opportunities afforded in its clean,
clear waters. Situated to the north of its more famous sisters, Koh
Samui and Koh Pha Ngan, the island is a typical tropical paradise,
with rich jungle in the centre surrounded by quiet, palm treed
beaches.

Although tourist development has exploded in recent years,
turning Koh Tao's traditional dirt-road villages into a montage of
holiday resorts, souvenir stalls and restaurants, there are still
plenty of unspoilt spots both on the coast and inland. The main
beach is Sairee Beach, stretching about one mile (2km) along the
west coast, offering a range of reasonably priced holiday
accommodation, dive centres, restaurants, beach bars and other
facilities.

No-one could describe Koh Tao as a shopping destination, but
most of the essentials required on holiday are available including
basic medicines, sun screen, swim suits, sarongs, snorkelling
equipment and so on. Most of the little stalls and stores lining
beachfronts and main roads carry craft souvenirs made of shells or
bamboo, and there is plenty of local jewellery available. There are
a few supermarkets and market stalls with a good range of
foodstuffs.

Not too many years ago, no one in Koh Tao would have heard of
pizza or pancakes; now however, international cuisine has taken
over the island and it is possible to find anything you fancy, from
Tex-Mex to French baguettes or good old English steak and kidney
pie. This has not been at the expense of local authentic Thai food,
however, which is still available everywhere from simple street
stalls to beachfront terraces.

There are dozens of restaurants, new ones opening all the time,
many offering open-air barbecues and grills. Some current
favourites are the Café del Sol grill house, with a French
chef serving up delectable steaks and homemade Italian dishes; the
Greasy Spoon (Mae Head), delighting Brits with full-on English
breakfasts and hefty portions of fish and chips, bangers and mash,
and the like; and the open-air Eagle View on a hill top near Shark
Bay, offering Thai cuisine with a spectacular view.

For a relaxed, idyllic island Koh Tao has a surprisingly buzzing
nightlife. When the sun sets the parties start, usually at bars and
clubs right on the beach. Most of the action takes place at the
main centres of Mae Had and Sairee, but there are many impromptu
theme parties happening, usually advertised in shop windows or via
word of mouth. Sand sculptures, crazy games, fried chicken, bucket
cocktails and fire-jugglers are usually all part of the party
scene. Those who prefer a more sedate evening can retire to a pub
for a game of pool or darts, or sip cocktails in a laid-back lounge
to the tune of some modern classics.

Koh Tao is known as a holiday paradise for scuba divers, with 25
dive sites in close proximity, stunning and unusual rock and coral
formations teeming with the resident turtles, whale sharks,
stingrays and gorgeous reef fish. Visibility can sometimes exceed
131 feet (40m), with the average being around 65 feet (20m).
Chumphon Pinnacle is a great place to spot bull sharks, while other
popular dive sites include Green Rock, Nang Yuan, and Ao Leuk.
Diving in Koh Tao is available year-round, however there is some
decreased visibility in windy November. Divers aren't the only ones
playing in the water however, a variety of watersports are
available from water-skiing and kayaking to sailing lessons.

On land, play the local sports like pétanque or croquet,
go hiking, rock-climbing or mountain-biking. A variety of boat
excursions are available, a favourite being to explore the
next-door islet of Nangyuan with its remarkable triple beach. Many
visitors sign up for classes in Thai Chi, Yoga or Thai boxing, or
limber up at the local open air gym, finishing off with a herbal
steam bath, traditional Thai massage, or relaxing reflexology.